The Tech Capitals Of The World | TechTree.com

The Tech Capitals Of The World

Dubai, Bangalore, Shenzhen, Tokyo, San Francisco, and London.

 

The world of technology advances at such a rapid pace that many people struggle to keep up. How then can cities be expected to keep pace with such changes? Some cities embody what it means to be technological, and in their own right can claim to be tech capitals for varying reasons.

Dubai

Of all the Arab nations the United Arab Emirates is putting itself at the heart of a global economy. Its airports are now international hubs that connect every corner of the earth, its carriers are iconic brands that emblazon the shirts and stadiums of sports teams across the globe, and its cities are groundbreaking centers of architectural ambition.  

To support such rapid expansion the Emirates had to make themselves friendly to business, for technology in Dubai this equates to the Dubai Internet City (DIC). This area has been created by the government to generate a tech industry; guaranteeing a free economic zone for 50 years has encouraged Facebook, Google, Microsoft, IBM and many others to make this their regional base.

The DIC is near many five-star hotels and the iconic Palm Jumeirah.  

Dubai has many attractions and great connectivity but the cost-of-living is higher than in other tech capitals.

Bangalore

India is a rapidly growing economy and much of that growth is dependent upon the tech industry of Bangalore. Whereas Dubai offers tech companies a tax haven and great connectivity, Bangalore offers a wealth of IT professionals. It is estimated that up to a third of India’s 2.5 million IT specialists are based in Bangalore.  

This offers any visitor a wealth of expertise that can be tapped into at a relatively low cost. Not that the tech industry in Bangalore is restricted to IT only, there are growing aerospace and biotechnology interests in the city.

Internal investment was the driver for the growth of technology in the city, but now with the growth of India as an industrial market, Bangalore has become a gateway to the world’s second largest population.

Shenzhen

Technology is most real when it becomes a physical product, nowhere can this happen more easily than in Shenzhen. The city represents the technological production capacity of China and it is still growing.

Shenzhen’s GDP in 2016 was $294 billion. It is the home of some of China’s largest tech companies and is one of the best places in the world for tech start-ups to begin and grow.  

As China’s first Special Economic Zone it has developed rapidly and its port is now the world’s third busiest.

Close proximity to Hong Kong allows for a varied visit and Shenzhen’s own expanding skyline offers an ever-changing view to visitors.  

Tokyo

The Japanese offer what no other city in the world offers – speedy acceptance of new technology. In Tokyo, now ranked as world’s largest city, innovation is the norm. The close proximity in which 38 million people live means that change is accepted more readily, as it can offer solutions.  

Home-based technologies have been an area of expertise for the Japanese and continue to be so, as do automotive technologies. If you are targeting a product directly at the consumer, Tokyo is the place to visit.  

Due to the number of people in the city, space is at a premium. You may find hotels smaller than normal and personal space is reduced, especially when using public transport.  

San Francisco

Due to its close proximity to the Santa Clara valley (Silicon Valley) San Francisco is a tech capital, and therefore home to such well known brands as: Apple, Facebook, eBay, Intel, Lockheed Martin, Tesla, Yahoo and many more.  

The area is known for its excellent colleges: Berkeley, Stanford, Santa Clara, University of San Francisco and others. These provide Silicon Valley with a new crop of thinkers, doers and innovators annually.

The bay area has a rich sporting pedigree and offers the chance to see top teams from the NFL, NBA and MLB when visiting. Other attractions include the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.

London

London is a city that offers numerous tech solutions. It is truly a global city, a fulcrum of world trade. Sitting between Europe and North America it offers the potential to exploit both markets.  

The close proximity of the City of London finance center and such a wealth of technological expertise allows for a melding of finance, innovation and technological knowledge.

As one of the world’s greatest cities, London provides an assured base with excellent transport links both internally and externally. The old charm of London belies the possibilities and capabilities of a city that contains more IT professionals than California.

Being a popular tourist destination means that apartments in London for short stay can be in scant supply. The London Underground allows for access to the whole city no matter where you stay. Major attractions include: Buckingham Palace, the Palace of Westminster and the Tower of London. The West End has numerous theaters and cinemas.

Summary

The world has many tech capitals and they all offer varying opportunities for both business and pleasure. Dubai offers tax breaks; Bangalore offers cheap expertise; Shenzhen offers manufacturing and start-up opportunities; Tokyo offers innovation and knowledge of how to target consumers directly; San Francisco is the spiritual home of technology and London offers financial prospects in close proximity to technical skills.

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